Category: Batting

Choosing the right baseball bat is perhaps one of the most important choices a hitter has to make as this can make or break his performance. Of-course there is no replacement for hard work and constant practice, but a good bat is definitely a plus and can play a major role in improving batting performance. If you are a beginner thinking about buying your first baseball bat then these tips will help you get some idea of what factors you should be looking at. These tips are also applicable to slow pitch and fastpitch softball bats. 1.) Know Your League Rules: The first and foremost thing you need to know before venturing out to buy a bat is the rules of your league. Check with your coach and find out the exact requirements of the league. Do they want you to use wood or metal bats? Is there a certain ratio between the bat’s weight and length that you need to follow? These are some questions that you need to have answers for.

2.) Fix Up a Budget: Baseball bats are available in a range of prices starting from as low as $25 and going as high as $400. A costlier bat does not necessarily mean better performance and is certainly not a replacement for hard work and practice. The only benefit of higher end bats is the relative light weight built. They come with very thin walls that help the hitter hit the ball with more power. The possible downside is that the bat will generate dents and other deformities as month’s progress. This means using your costly investment in batting cages would be a bad idea.

If you are a recreational player and are looking for a bat that can be used for practice in batting cages, a better alternative is to go for bats in the mid price range. This way you can get yourself a decent bat that will last through-out a season or two without needing replacement.

3.) Bat Material: Wooden baseball bats are out of the scene so there is no point in buying them unless you are a pro. Wood bats are less durable and are heavier. They also do not generate a lot of power. This leaves us with aluminum bats that are available in range of prices depending on their quality. Extremely light weight bats generally tend to be more costly, but nothing can be said about their durability. The durability depends totally on the type of alloy used to manufacture the bad. Most budget bats were made with standard aircraft aluminum. These bats were a bit week. Bats that were made with aluminum and small amounts of copper were a lot stronger. Today the market is flooded with a range of bats from different manufactures claming superior quality material. The best way to find out which bat is more durable is to check online reviews on the bat online or check with people who have already used the bat.

4.) Feel of the bat: If this is your first bat, it is best advised that you go to a baseball store and feel the bat for yourself before making the buy. Of-course once you know which bat to buy, you can always order the same bat off the internet to get a better deal. Internet gives you the opportunity to compare shop you bat which could help you find great deals.

5.) Bat weight: The lighter the bat the more the bat speed. More bat speed helps generate more power. This is why it is advisable to go for bats that feel light enough for you. The best to test if a bat weighs right is to hold the bat with one hand near the bottom with only your fingers (with the exception of your thumb) and try to lift it a couple of times. If you are not able to lift the bat using only your wrist then the bat is not the right one for you.

6.) Length of the Bat: The right length is equally important as the right weight. The length of the bat should be in tune with the weight of the bat. This is also known as the length to weight ratio. Weight ratio of a bat represents how many ounces a bat weighs in comparison to its length in inches. If you are buying a college or high school bat, this ratio will be under -3.

No matter what kind of bat your choose, it goes without saying that practice makes the game perfect. Remember this and you are sure to have a great game!

Baseball Hitting Drills to Improve Swing Control

A good hitter can only become better through this series of repetitious drills that aim to hone and train hitting skills. To improve swing control and reflexes when hitting use these baseball hitting drills, which include hitting balls other than baseballs, aiming for the correct colored ball and hitting against a wall at an imaginary field."

The Qualities of a Good Hitter

To be an idea hitter in baseball, a player must achieve a balance of strength, coordination, control and determination. While these qualities are second nature to some players, both gifted and inexperienced players will benefit from baseball hitting drills. Before attempting any baseball hitting drills, make sure players are batting with the proper bat. Batting with an over heavy bat can have negative effects on the trajectory of the swing. It is imperative that batters learn to spot the strike zone so they don’t swing at bad pitches. When swinging, swing slightly downward to stay on top of the ball and avoid over-cutting. Batting stance is also important when practicing hitting. Always keep both the front shoulder and the chin tucked in towards the body. Hands should be back and the head should be pointing towards the pitcher so that both eyes can focus on the oncoming pitch. Finally, to put that added spring into the hitter’s step, they should always be on the balls of their feet. Once the stance has been perfected, it’s time to start on the baseball hitting drills!

Hitting soccer balls and colored balls

This drill, called the Power Bat Drill, helps hitters develop power in their swing by connecting with a heavier ball. By increasing the amount of force necessary at the point of contact, the hitter will develop a more powerful swing. To begin, slide a plunger handle-first into a batting tee. Place either a flattened soccer ball or basketball in the rubber cupped part of the plunger and swing normally at the ball. The goal for this drill is to hit the heavier ball without decelerating the swing at the point of impact. Concentrate on the mechanics of the swing and the level of deceleration will decrease. The next hitting drill, known as the colored ball drill, aims to sharpen a player’s mind and improve reaction times at the plate. This drill requires a number of different colored balls which can either be bought or painted. To begin, place the colored balls in a bucket. The pitcher carefully reaches into the bucket and selects a ball without allowing the batter to see the color of the ball. Before releasing the pitch, the batter calls out the name of a color. The batter may only swing at the pitch if it matches the color of ball called by the pitcher.

Wall Ball

Finally, here’s a baseball hitting drill called the Wall Ball drill that involves a large number of players at once, and can be played in a more competitive manner to teach players to be aggressive when hitting. Divide the team into groups of 3. One team plays defense while the other bats using foam or wiffle balls. The goal of the game is to hit balls towards a wall where different sections correspond with different types of hits. The wall must have a top line that represents the "out" zone. If the ball touches the wall above the line, it is considered an out. If the ball hits the wall below the line without touching the ground, it is counted as one point for the batting team. If the ball touches the ground first before hitting the wall, it is not counted as a point but the offensive team continues to bat. Balls that are caught by the defense before touching the ground or wall are considered outs, as are pop-ups, foul balls and missed swings. Finally, to keep game play moving quickly, bats are not to touch the ground. After the batting team gets three outs, they switch sides, and the first team to ten points wins.